Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[1065] to-day on the railroad, cut it, and are about to destroy it permanently. If we can hold on here we can drive Lee out of Virginia. His great line of supplies and operations is gone. We have been eminently successful thus far. If you desire to know exactly where we are, take a map, look up Point of Rocks on the Appomattox, then look across to Farrar's Island on the James. That is our line, directly on the rebel communications. We are intrenching here; will then advance from this base. Telegraph your action; time is important.

[no. 34. see page 645.]

Upon consultation, it is thought best that you should not advance beyond your picket line before 7 o'clock, so that all the force may be drawn to the advance of General Smith. When you hear his guns and have word from him, engage the enemy and push on.

[no. 35. see page 646.]

A bearer of despatches from General Meade has just reached here by way of Fredericksburg.

States that on Friday night Lee's army were in full retreat for Richmond, Grant pursuing with his army. Hancock passed Spottsylvania C. H., before daylight yesterday morning. Meade's headquarters were yesterday at Ladd's Tavern. We occupy Fredericksburg. Twenty-Second New York occupied it about 8 o'clock last night.

[no. 36. see page 646.]
[telegram.--Cipher.]

A despatch from Grant has just been received. He is on the march with his whole force; army to form a junction with you, but had not determined his route. Another despatch from him is being translated.

[no. 37. see page 646.]

Advices from the front give reason to believe that General Grant's operations will prove a great success and complete victory.

On Saturday night the enemy had been driven at all points, and Hancock was pushing forward rapidly to Spottsylvania Court-House, where